Wittman Big X
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wittman Big X | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Homebuilt Aircraft |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Steve Wittman |
| Designer | |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1945 |
| First flight | January 6, 1945 |
| Developed from | Wittman Buttercup |
The Wittman Big X is a four seat high wing variant of the Wittman Buttercup. The aircraft received serious attention from both Fairchild Aircraft, and Cessna Aircraft in the post World War II aviation boom.
On a cross-country fuel stop at Hagerstown, Maryland, with Wittman's design, the Buttercup, Fairchild engineers expressed an interest in the design and even entered into negotiations for possible production of the aircraft. With the onset of World War II, production plans were shelved, but Fairchild contacted Wittman and proposed that a four-seat version would be marketable. Wittman designed the four-place "Big X" soon afterward.[1][2]
When Fairchild did not follow up on production offers, Wittman was contacted by Cessna in Wichita, Kansas, to demonstrate the lightweight and strong spring steel landing gear of the Big X. Cessna bought the plane and its production rights in order to use the gear on its new Cessna 195 taildragger. Wittman later produced an updated version in a two-place configuration called the Wittman Tailwind that became a popular homebuilt aircraft.[2]
Design
Operational history
Big X was used as a companion plane and baggage hauler during Wittman's years as an air racer. The original aircraft was rebuilt by Forrest Lovley in 1980.